Serving Where You Are At

I still cannot believe that I just wrapped up my 3rd summer of mission trip leading in Puerto Rico! 

From May to August 25 teams ventured across the Atlantic to partner with and serve 30 Puerto Rican churches. It was my personal privilege to work with 9 of the U.S. team and Puerto Rican Church partnerships this summer.

There are a variety of outreaches and ministries that take place through these partnerships. Christ was shared through Vacation Bible School camps, evangelistic services, and also through service projects like food distribution, prayer walks, construction, and many other forms. When people looked past themselves and their situations and were simply being present, sharing the love of Christ, God showed up in the biggest ways.

I saw God move through pastors in PR such as Pastor Tosado. He carries the usual leadership responsibilities on top of taking care of his wife who struggles with debilitating spinal issues.  Yet Pastor was present with the Pelican team, both physically and mentally every single day.  He participated in the outreaches, the meals, and invested in the Pelican missionaries.  That week children and adults in one of the neediest government projects received the love of Christ.  That week God answered a prayer of a US youth pastor desiring to see his students become servant leaders.  All that happened through Pastor sharing the love Christ where he was at.

I saw God move through a Pelican team serving in one on the needier areas of San Juan as well.  Every single day they were out in the community talking with the homeless, praying with people on their porches, teaching new songs to old musicians, and being part of the church.  God used their testimonies and gifts to impact people--people such as David. He met the team on the street and was struck by their willingness to listen to him.  Because of that, he accepted their invitation to an evening church service and listened to people sharing their stories of Christ's love and God’s faithfulness.  After committing his life to Christ that night, David shared with the team that he was originally planning on committing suicide that week. Through seeing how Christ was in the middle of their life, David saw how God desired to do the same in his!

God showed up in amazing ways this summer through people who didn't wait for life to be under (their) control.  They didn't wait for God to solve their problems first.  They served in the middle of the personal challenges and during times of personal need.  They shared the love of Christ where they were at and amazing things happened.  I would encourage you to do the same. Then watch how God shows up in your work, church, and family.